Oscar
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Posts posted by Oscar
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Purchasing the following:
Spoiler2 Healing Crystal
1 Rage Crystal
1 Antidote Potion -
Ready to run the ones
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“It’s the place I put people like that,” Oscar said plainly. “People who threaten the work I’ve tried to do here.”
He beckoned Abellio to follow. They meandered through the streets, passing vendor stalls and shops as they went. “I’ve taken great pains to make this place a sanctuary. And not just a safe zone. People slowly trickle out of town, wanting to get involved. Wanting to stop languishing.”
He stopped in front of the Blazing Typhoon, turning to stare at the Smithy with a slight smile. “There’s several of us still here. Frontliners who want to help newbies like you. Like Macradon. Then there’s Bahr and Lessa. Night, if you can get her to stop brooding. Just ask and I can make the connect. My help is perhaps a bit unpalatable to most, but the point I’m making here is that you won’t want for help if you ask for it. So ask. No more going off on your own doing stupid shit, Abellio. You took the first step. Everything else gets easier from here.”
Oscar turned to face Abellio with a smile. “And besides, it did wind up being some easy exp. That jump had to have been massive, right? What? Did you land at level 15? Higher? You’ve got the spirit, but you need to be more cautious. That’s the best way to stay alive and stay in the fight.”
Thread Summary
Abellio Receives: 5000 [Quest] + 200[Yui's Grace] + 283[Page Reward] + 5% EXP [Slime Farm] = 5757 EXP
Envious Betrayal T3 Heavy Armor - 2 MIT, 1 THRNS
10,000 Col
<<Forgotten King's Authority>> Extra Skill
Oscar Receives: 2829 EXP
424 ColThread Transcript
SpoilerAbellio came in hot! He stepped off of the Teleportation Platform and into the settlement of Tomoika pumped and ready for action. He was practically bouncing with energy, ready to finally make his first break into the game proper. His target? The Forgotten Time King. Everyone said it was a super scary boss, but he felt confident that he could take it. After all, he wasn’t bad at video games. Challenge runs hadn’t been anything new to him back when he played games religiously.
And what better way to break out of his fearful funk than swinging on the baddest mother fucker in the game?
Of course, the nerves still got the better of him. As he walked towards the exit of the settlement, he couldn’t help but to hype himself up. “It’s just a boss, Abellio,” he said perhaps more loudly than he should have. “All you have to do is not get hit. You can take him.”
There was another in the city as well. He was sat outside of a small tavern near the central plaza. He was intently focused on something in his menus. Oscar seemed to be agonizing over a message of some sort. He would type a few words and then scrunch his face up in annoyance and delete everything he’d written. This repeated on and on until something broke his focus. The town was empty and quiet. Outside of the NPCs - who had learned to tune out - the other Players were above or below them. Floor 21 only attracted a specific type of Player: those wanting to slay the Forgotten Time King for some quick Experience and one of the best skills in the game.
His focus was drawn to the wide-eyed young man currently heading for the gate. He was talking loudly, declaring his intentions to all around. Oscar looked up from his work and cocked an eyebrow. Clearly this guy was new. Was he seriously trying to take on the boss solo. Oscar let out a heavy sigh and rose to his feet. There was no way that he was going to let some newbie punk get himself killed today, regardless of what his own plans were.
The further Abellio meandered through the winding tunnels, the worse his nerves got. Not only that, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. But he chalked that up to anxiety. This was the first time he had been out of a settlement. Much less somewhere so high up. But it was weird. The tunnels seemed to be abandoned. He could swear that he could hear the ambient sounds of monsters echoing through the mines. But every time he felt like he should have been able to set eyes upon a beast, he rounded a corner to find that it was gone. The sounds cut off.
It certainly didn’t help his paranoia. How could just walking stress him out like this? Certainly he couldn’t be losing his mind so soon into his journey.
But then he saw it. The withered corpse of the Forgotten Time King. Though it looked to be quite the opposite of what a desiccated corpse should be. For starters, it was walking around. It was enough for Abellio to stop in his tracks. There was no way he could take him! He was nine feet tall and he carried a scary sword! Abellio backed away a half-step before his nerve caught up with him. He’d come all this way, he wasn’t about to give up now. He could do this. With renewed resolve, he took two steps forward and was immediately yanked backwards by his collar.
Of all the stupid things to do, coming to Floor 21 as a Level 1 was right there at the top of the list. Oscar was familiar with the floor and its tunnels. He was able to easily get ahead of the man. Good thing he did, because he had every NPC and monster in two post codes driving straight for his location. He wouldn’t be able to convince the man to turn around before something looked at him sideways. Oscar swore under his breath and drew his weapon. The only thing that he could do was cut a path through to the boss. Arguing outside of town was only going to get the red-head killed.
And so he set about killing every single NPC between himself and the boss. He managed to stay out of sight - perhaps not necessarily by design. He would have much rather intercepted the man sooner, but given the danger, he didn’t want to get distracted by conversation. Somehow, Oscar lagged behind. Because as he arrived at the boss arena, he saw the man ahead of him. He broke into a sprint and was able to grab the man’s collar and pull him back.
“You’re going to get yourself killed,” Oscar said. As he did, the boss swiveled his gaze towards the pair. “Shit. Party up,” he commanded. He quickly navigated through his menus and sent an invitation to the man. “Sit tight and don’t touch anything.”
Oscar surged forward at blinding speed, Divine Rancor at the ready. With a Charge and a Sword Art, he was able to plant himself at the top of the Hate table. With the boss thus controlled, he was able to breathe easier. Though he’d never exactly tangled with the boss solo, he figured he could at least take a hit or two.
Abellio had been caught off-guard by the sudden assault. He was about to open his mouth to protest when the boss turned to face them. It locked straight onto Abellio and as it entered into an aggressive state, its health bar manifested next to it.
Well, health bars to be more precise. There were three of them. The crystal over the creature’s head was jet black. It loomed over them, slowly walking to their location. But the man who had him by the collar didn’t seem to be too phased by it. Who was this guy? And why was he jumping in?
The party invite appeared in front of him. The man rushed off, leaving Abellio with specific instructions. He realized now that he had perhaps gotten himself into a bit of danger in his haste to level up. More than a bit, if he were being honest. He accepted the invitation and watched as the dark-haired man threw himself against the boss. Whoever this was, he had to be a crazy high level Player. With one attack, he took a third off of one of the boss’s health bars. But then the King responded in kind, slicing through the man’s chest with his blade.
But despite how grievous the injury appeared, it didn’t seem to do much damage to him.
Maybe it had been longer than Oscar thought. He remembered the last time he came here that it had required a full party of people to put this boss down. He was certainly stronger now, but he didn’t realize by how much. Never would he have imagined that he would reach the point where he was so easily able to handle such a foe. The boss struck true - crit him even - and yet he had all but shrugged it off. Battle Healing recovered the lion’s share of what the boss had dealt to him.It was time to go on the offensive. He lashed out with a slice at the creature’s midriff. Divine Rancor began to glow and Oscar realized that the weapon was about to unleash a deluge of light and fury. He’d been waiting for a chance to do this. He activated his <<Crystal of Divine Light>> and <<Rhino’s Horn>> just before his weapon made contact. The resulting strike called down the very heavens. A resplendent shaft of light crashed out from on high and engulfed his foe. The cascade of energy decimated the King’s health bar, shaving off two of the three with a single blow.
The cascade of energy was so brilliant that Abellio had to avert his gaze. When the light finally subsided and his eyes recovered from the dancing spots upon his vision, the fiery-haired man looked awestruck at his new companion’s handiwork.
“Holy shit,” Abellio muttered to himself.
In just two attacks the boss was almost dead! Abellio’s mind swam with questions. How had he pulled that off? And, again, just who was this guy? His eyes were wide as he watched the man clash with the enemy. But something was off. The man had stopped moving. The King stumbled backwards and lashed out, but he made no effort to move. Thankfully, the blow had knocked the King off-balance and he hit only air, but something was clearly amiss. The man seemed to be almost frozen in place.
“Hey! You okay? Why aren’t you moving?!”
Abellio didn’t want to be a backseat gamer, but he also didn’t want to be completely useless. Maybe he could do something to help, low level as he was.
Seeing his handiwork, Oscar was able to breathe a sigh of relief. He had plenty left in the tank - Health and Energy. The King couldn’t really say that. He heard a concerned voice from the arena entrance. The noob, he remembered.
“I’m fine,” Oscar called back sternly. “Stacking buffs means you stack debuffs sometimes. I can’t move right now after doing all of that.”
It was a fair trade. The ability to lay such an infamous boss low with a single blow justified the cost. He was just glad the boss hadn’t actually hit him before the debuff from the crystal wore off. He wasn’t concerned for himself, but his health would have tanked. There was no telling what the idiot behind him would have done after seeing such a thing.
“Like I said. Sit. Tight,” Oscar added tersely. “You’re precisely where you need to be. You won’t pull aggro off the mobs outside and you won’t get Hate on this thing either. I hate to reward such stupid decision-making, but I’d prefer you didn’t die on my watch.”Stupid? Abellio’s chest puffed up at the man’s words. But much as he wanted to refute them, he couldn’t. Watching the fight with the boss, Abellio realized that he was walking right into his own death. If the man hadn’t shown up when he did, Abellio shuddered to think of the consequences.
He would have died. Plain and simple.
“You’re right,” Abellio said. “I should have done more research. I’m really stupid, okay?” He paused, his ever-present smile wavering. “And I got lucky someone like you was around. But I was just so tired of being stuck in this fuckin’ rut. And the guys who told me about the quest said I should be fine on my own! They said it was a good way to get a ton of experience really fast. I don’t get it.”
Abellio let out a sigh. The obvious answer was slapping him in the face, but he refused to acknowledge it.
“Fucking what?” Oscar’s tone was thick with disbelief. “You’re on Floor 21, dude. How the fuck did you think this would go?” He paused long enough to make his next attack. He leapt from the ground and drove his blade straight into the King’s chest. His face contorted in effort as he wrenched his blade free and struck twice more in quick succession, leaving long red gashes across the King’s torso. He kicked off and somersaulted backward in midair before landing lightly on his feet.
The King was almost dead, so Oscar turned to face Abellio. “Yeah. You’re stupid. A basic mob this high up would do enough damage to kill you ten times over. Who in the actual fuck told you that you could handle this guy?”
He simply couldn’t believe that there were still people who would send others off to their deaths like this. Oscar wanted names. Locations. Habits.
But most importantly, he wanted them in the ground.
Oscar’s admonishments hit Abellio like a ton of bricks. He’d already admitted that he was dumb. Did he really have to twist the knife?
Of course he did. Abellio had forced the man into a boss fight without so much as a greeting or a request for aid. And Oscar had jumped into the fray to help him, no questions asked. Abellio had to be grateful to him for the assist. Still, the words hurt. Having them thrown in his face hurt. Abellio looked up in time to see the King looming over Oscar while his back was turned. He wanted to shout a warning, but there was something about the man’s gaze.
A bored detachment.This wasn’t even a challenge for him.
So Abellio decided to answer his question. “I was going to do the tutorial quest and there was a guy hanging around the NPC. He was telling everyone who would listen about how this quest was so great and super easy. I think I was the only one dumb enough to believe him.”
Oscar nodded. Then, without warning, he spun on his heels to deal with the boss. Taking off like a bolt of lightning, he crashed into the King. With a barrage of sword strikes, he carved through the boss with lethal precision. He struck at its ankles to topple it. Then when it fell to its knees, the back of the thighs. Then, finally, when it was lying prone upon the ground, a final thrust to the back of the head sealed the fight.
With a shower of crystalline shards, the Forgotten Time King was no more. In its wake, it left a piece of equipment. Oscar sheathed his weapon and allowed it to disappear in a flash of light before retrieving the item. It wasn’t anything he could make use of, neither was it anything the noob could use. But he’d grow into it. Turning on his heels, he tossed the item towards Abellio.
“We’ve learned an important lesson, I trust?”
Abellio caught the offered item. His gaze flicked between the piece of equipment and Oscar. Why was he giving such a high level item away? The question answered itself as soon as he thought about it. Clearly, this man wasn’t worried about equipment. Was this man one of those Frontliners he’d heard about?
The intent had been to join the Frontlines at some point. But if this guy was one of them, he realized that he had a really long way to go in order to be able to stand with them. The difference between their skills was palpable. And it couldn’t all come down to simply equipment. Seeing the man in action almost made his goal seem impossible. He was standing at the bottom of a mountain and couldn’t even see the top.
“Several things,” Abellio muttered. His smile faded as he looked down at the item once more. “You really saved my ass didn’t you?”
“Obviously,” Oscar said. “But I was thinking more, you know, specifically. Like maybe don’t believe everything you hear from strangers. Or don’t go to crazy high-level floors. Or, and I’m just spitballin’ here. Don’t take the easy way out.”
Oscar covered his mouth as he yawned. He couldn’t hold too much against the man. All’s well that ends well and all that. Providence or serendipity had saved his nooby ass. Fate, even. Maybe. It really didn’t matter. All that did matter was that the kid had stuck his hand into a hornet’s nest and managed to pull it out without getting stung.
“If you learned any of those things, we’ll call it a victory. Next time, though, find someone to help you out. Not a weakness to admit you don’t know what you’re doing. Now, let’s go back to town. I want you to introduce me to those ‘Info Brokers.’”
Abellio nodded intently. With Oscar at his side, the two of them headed back to the settlement. It wasn’t an easy trip. There were more monsters on the return trip. And they were drawn to him like a magnet. They seemed to be coming out of the woodwork. Descending from the ceiling, tunneling up from underfoot. How had he even made it this far in the first place?
But Oscar was able to dispatch them quickly. The man cut a path through the hordes of mobs, sticking close to Abellio to make sure nothing slipped through. All the while, Abellio wondered just how in the Hell he could bridge the gap and get to where he was to where Oscar was. Soon enough, the arrived at the settlement and, at Oscar’s urging, teleported down to Floor One.
There was something about the guy. He seemed to have a menacing aura as they touched down in safer climes. It was an odd shift in demeanor. He didn’t seem like a bad guy, but the look in his eyes was downright murderous.
“Uh, thanks by the way. I’m Abellio,” he said in an effort to cool things off. The tension had suddenly become thick enough that even someone as thick as Abellio could notice.
As soon as they set foot on Floor One, indignation gripped Oscar. The audacity of these people, sending people to their deaths in his town. On his floor. Right under his nose. He couldn’t decide whether he was more angry at them or himself for letting it escape his notice. It was an error he intended to rectify immediately.
“Oscar,” he said plainly in response. “Now lead the way.”
Oscar followed in silence as Abellio led him towards the Tutorial NPC. A few players were walked by, attempting to take the quest. Oscar watched a group interact with the NPC and then take a few steps toward the gate. A few moments later, two men in leather armor stepped out of an alley and began to talk to them. Oscar could hear what they were saying, but the group merely shook their heads and headed out of town.
“Did you really fall for some shit a random dude from an alley said, Abellio? Didn’t strike you as odd? That’s like… Cartoonishly shady.”
Abellio winced as Oscar pointed out the obvious. If he’d not been so excited, maybe he would have questioned it. But they were on Floor One. Why would anyone try to get noobs killed? His shame began to turn to rage. Blazing heat ignited in his breast. Had they pulled this with anyone else?
Before he knew it, Abellio was marching toward the pair as they started to retreat towards the alley. His feet moved on their own. He wasn’t even thinking about it. All he could think about was how their little prank almost got him killed. How their little prank could have gotten others killed. Someone needed to do something about it. Someone needed to tell everyone about their horrible actions.
“Hey!” Abellio called over. As the first one wheeled around, he stepped right up to him. “You think this shit is funny? You’re trying to get people killed!”
His voice gathered the attention of the few Players in the area. They might have been higher level than Abellio, but they didn’t mean shit in Town.
The first man’s eyes darted toward the slowly-forming crowd and then back to Abellio. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tried to sound firm, but his voice wavered.
“Bullshit! You’re telling anyone who will listen about some stupid easy quest 20 floors up. Anyone stupid enough to believe you would die to the boss. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Who would be stupid enough to believe that?”
“Me,” Abellio said plainly. “If it wasn’t for this guy back here, I would have died. I don’t care how many people think I’m stupid if everyone knows what pieces of shit you two are.”
Oscar merely watched as Abellio confronted the men. He was certainly the fiery sort. And definitely didn’t give a single fuck about is own reputation. Oscar heard some of the Players snicker as Abellio admitted to his own idiocy. He was certain that they thought themselves above such things. It wasn’t until Abellio mentioned him that Oscar strode forward. Outwardly calm, he kept his hands in his pockets as he stalked toward the pair.
“Abellio tells me that you’re a pair of Info Brokers. Did Cardinal make some sort of Balance Patch recently? The Forgotten Time King was easier than I remember, but still definitely outside what a Level One could handle. I’m sure you simply got confused,” Oscar said. He greeted the pair with a smile, but there was a cold hate in his eyes. “Speaking of Info, I’ve heard that they recently changed the Black Iron Dungeon. Why don’t the three of us take a look?”
The two men exchanged glances and shook their heads. “No thank you,” the first said.
Oscar’s grin widened. “Oh come on now. Don’t you want some first-hand information? You like easy shit right? Let’s go.”
It was a command, not a request. One that was punctuated by Oscar grabbing the two of them by the bicep and slowly pulling them towards the dungeon entrance. They struggled. Subtly, at first. But as they neared the entrance, they began to flail and yell. Oscar stood atop the steps leading down into the underground and clicked his tongue.
“Damn, I just remembered I had something to do. Why don’t you two go on ahead?” He gave them a push. The pair tumbled down the steps and into the darkness. Oscar exchanged glanced with one of the guards and gave a short nod before turning on his heels. The dungeon could have them. And the guards would make certain it was so.
Abellio watched as Oscar carted them away. From the reactions of the two men, he wasn’t taking them anywhere fun. He followed along from a distance, growing ever more concerned at the rising panic of the two men. By the time they reached the dark hole in the ground, the pair were apoplectic. They gushed apologies and promises. Pleaded to be let go. But as casually as throwing out the garbage, Oscar pushed them inside. There was a sinking feeling in Abellio’s gut. Something told him that this would be the last those two would see the light. But he didn’t want to ask. He knew better than to do that.
Oscar wasn’t just a Frontliner. He was something more. Something dark. And yet, he had gone out of his way to help Abellio out when he was a goner. It didn’t make sense. Oscar’s demeanor had shifted as well. The cold darkness that seemed to radiate from him had ceased. In an instant, he was back to his old self.
“I uh,” Abellio stammered. “What’s the Black Iron Dungeon?”
“It’s the place I put people like that,” Oscar said plainly. “People who threaten the work I’ve tried to do here.”
He beckoned Abellio to follow. They meandered through the streets, passing vendor stalls and shops as they went. “I’ve taken great pains to make this place a sanctuary. And not just a safe zone. People slowly trickle out of town, wanting to get involved. Wanting to stop languishing.”
He stopped in front of the Blazing Typhoon, turning to stare at the Smithy with a slight smile. “There’s several of us still here. Frontliners who want to help newbies like you. Like Macradon. Then there’s Bahr and Lessa. Night, if you can get her to stop brooding. Just ask and I can make the connect. My help is perhaps a bit unpalatable to most, but the point I’m making here is that you won’t want for help if you ask for it. So ask. No more going off on your own doing stupid shit, Abellio. You took the first step. Everything else gets easier from here.”
Oscar turned to face Abellio with a smile. “And besides, it did wind up being some easy exp. That jump had to have been massive, right? What? Did you land at level 15? Higher? You’ve got the spirit, but you need to be more cautious. That’s the best way to stay alive and stay in the fight.”
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Oscar merely watched as Abellio confronted the men. He was certainly the fiery sort. And definitely didn’t give a single fuck about is own reputation. Oscar heard some of the Players snickered as Abellio admitted to his own idiocy. He was certain that they thought themselves above such things. It wasn’t until Abellio mentioned him that Oscar strode forward. Outwardly calm, he kept his hands in his pockets as he stalked toward the pair.
“Abellio tells me that you’re a pair of Info Brokers. Did Cardinal make some sort of Balance Patch recently? The Forgotten Time King was easier than I remember, but still definitely outside what a Level One could handle. I’m sure you simply got confused,” Oscar said. He greeted the pair with a smile, but there was a cold hate in his eyes. “Speaking of Info, I’ve heard that they recently changed the Black Iron Dungeon. Why don’t the three of us take a look?”
The two men exchanged glances and shook their heads. “No thank you,” the first said.
Oscar’s grin widened. “Oh come on now. Don’t you want some first-hand information? You like easy shit right? Let’s go.”
It was a command, not a request. One that was punctuated by Oscar grabbing the two of them by the bicep and slowly pulling them towards the dungeon entrance. They struggled. Subtly, at first. But as they neared the entrance, they began to flail and yell. Oscar stood atop the steps leading down into the underground and clicked his tongue.
“Damn, I just remembered I had something to do. Why don’t you two go on ahead?” He gave them a push. The pair tumbled down the steps and into the darkness. Oscar exchanged glanced with one of the guards and gave a short nod before turning on his heels. The dungeon could have them. And the guards would make certain it was so. It was convenient to have a place to dump the trash so close to home.
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As soon as they set foot on Floor One, indignation gripped Oscar. The audacity of these people, sending people to their deaths in his town. On his floor. Right under his nose. He couldn’t decide whether he was more angry at them or himself for letting it escape his notice. It was an error he intended to rectify immediately.
“Oscar,” he said plainly in response. “Now lead the way.”
Oscar followed in silence as Abellio led him towards the Tutorial NPC. A few players were walked by, attempting to take the quest. Oscar watched a group interact with the NPC and then take a few steps toward the gate. A few moments later, two men in leather armor stepped out of an alley and began to talk to them. Oscar could hear what they were saying, but the group merely shook their heads and headed out of town.
“Did you really fall for some shit a random dude from an alley said, Abellio? Didn’t strike you as odd? That's like... Cartoonishly shady.”
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“Obviously,” Oscar said. “But I was thinking more, you know, specifically. Like maybe don’t believe everything you hear from strangers. Or don’t go to crazy high-level floors. Or, and I’m just spitballin’ here. Don’t take the easy way out.”
Oscar covered his mouth as he yawned. He couldn’t hold too much against the man. All’s well that ends well and all that. Providence or serendipity had saved his nooby ass. Fate, even. Maybe. It really didn’t matter. All that did matter was that the kid had stuck his hand into a hornet’s nest and managed to pull it out without getting stung.
“If you learned any of those things, we’ll call it a victory. Next time, though, find someone to help you out. Not a weakness to admit you don’t know what you’re doing. Now, let’s go back to town. I want you to introduce me to those ‘Info Brokers.’”
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Oscar nodded. Then, without warning, he spun on his heels to deal with the boss. Taking off like a bolt of lightning, he crashed into the King. With a barrage of sword strikes, he carved through the boss with lethal precision. He struck at its ankles to topple it. Then when it fell to its knees, the back of the thighs. Then, finally, when it was lying prone upon the ground, a final thrust to the back of the head sealed the fight.
With a shower of crystalline shards, the Forgotten Time King was no more. In its wake, it left a piece of equipment. Oscar sheathed his weapon and allowed it to disappear in a flash of light before retrieving the item. It wasn’t anything he could make use of, neither was it anything the noob could use. But he’d grow into it. Turning on his heels, he tossed the item towards Abellio.
“And what did we learn?"
SpoilerOscar | HP: 960/960 [+53] | EN: 77/128[+4 - 18] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18
[Charge]AOE-II vs FTK | ID: 240147 | BD: 7+5-1, hit | 458 DMG Dealt[Os5,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 0/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 -
“Fucking what?” Oscar’s tone was thick with disbelief. “You’re on Floor 21, dude. How the fuck did you think this would go?” He paused long enough to make his next attack. He leapt from the ground and drove his blade straight into the King’s chest. His face contorted in effort as he wrenched his blade free and struck twice more in quick succession, leaving long red gashes across the King’s torso. He kicked off and somersaulted backward in midair before landing lightly on his feet.
The King was almost dead, so Oscar turned to face Abellio. “Yeah. You’re stupid. A basic mob this high up would do enough damage to kill you ten times over. Who in the actual fuck told you that you could handle this guy?”
He simply couldn’t believe that there were still people who would send others off to their deaths like this. Oscar wanted names. Locations. Habits.
But most importantly, he wanted them in the ground.
SpoilerOscar | HP: 896/960 [+53] | EN: 91/128[+4 - 14] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18
AOE-I vs FTK | ID: 240145 | BD: 7+5, hit | Deal 290 DMG
Charge CD: 2/3
Well-Rested 3/3[Os4,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 451/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 |
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Seeing his handiwork, Oscar was able to breathe a sigh of relief. He had plenty left in the tank - Health and Energy. The King couldn’t really say that. He heard a concerned voice from the arena entrance. The noob, he remembered.
“I’m fine,” Oscar called back sternly. “Stacking buffs means you stack debuffs sometimes. I can’t move right now after doing all of that.”
It was a fair trade. The ability to lay such an infamous boss low with a single blow justified the cost. He was just glad the boss hadn’t actually hit him before the debuff from the crystal wore off. He wasn’t concerned for himself, but his health would have tanked. There was no telling what the idiot behind him would have done after seeing such a thing.
“Like I said. Sit. Tight,” Oscar added tersely. “You’re precisely where you need to be. You won’t pull aggro off the mobs outside and you won’t get Hate on this thing either. I hate to reward such stupid decision-making, but I’d prefer you didn’t die on my watch.”
SpoilerOscar | HP: 960/960 [+53] | EN: 101/128[+4] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18
Action lost due to the effects of Troll's Blood[Os3,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 773/3000 [-1830] | DMG: 275 | MIT: 80 [-20] | ACC: 3 | BLIGHTED: 32 0/2
-
Maybe it had been longer than Oscar thought. He remembered the last time he came here that it had required a full party of people to put this boss down. He was certainly stronger now, but he didn’t realize by how much. Never would he have imagined that he would reach the point where he was so easily able to handle such a foe. The boss struck true - crit him even - and yet he had all but shrugged it off. Battle Healing recovered the lion’s share of what the boss had dealt to him.
It was time to go on the offensive. He lashed out with a slice at the creature’s midriff. Divine Rancor began to glow and Oscar realized that the weapon was about to unleash a deluge of light and fury. He’d been waiting for a chance to do this. He activated his <<Crystal of Divine Light>> and <<Rhino’s Horn>> just before his weapon made contact. The resulting strike called down the very heavens. A resplendent shaft of light crashed out from on high and engulfed his foe. The cascade of energy decimated the King’s health bar, shaving off two of the three with a single blow.
SpoilerOscar | HP: 948/960 [+53] | EN: 97/128[+4-17] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18
AOE-II vs FTK | ID: 240142 | BD: 10, Crit
+16 Holy Damage
Phase Activated
Rhino's Horn Activated, +3 Base Damage
Crystal of Divine Light Activated, +8 Holy Damage
Troll's Blood Procced
26+2+24+3 = 55 * 18 = 990 DMG
990* 2 = 1880 DMG
2016 - 50 [Phase] = 1830 DMG
User has -1 EVA for the remainer of the thread
User takes 2x damage this turn
User cannot take action next turn
Charge CD - 1/3
Well-Rested - 2/3
[Os3,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 805/3000 [-1830] | DMG: 275 | MIT: 80 [-20] | ACC: 3 | BLIGHTED: 32 0/2 -
Of all the stupid things to do, coming to Floor 21 as a Level 1 was right there at the top of the list. Oscar was familiar with the floor and its tunnels. He was able to easily get ahead of the man. Good thing he did, because he had every NPC and monster in two post codes driving straight for his location. He wouldn’t be able to convince the man to turn around before something looked at him sideways. Oscar swore under his breath and drew his weapon. The only thing that he could do was cut a path through to the boss. Arguing outside of town was only going to get the red-head killed.
And so he set about killing every single NPC between himself and the boss. He managed to stay out of sight - perhaps not necessarily by design. He would have much rather intercepted the man sooner, but given the danger, he didn’t want to get distracted by conversation. Somehow, Oscar lagged behind. Because as he arrived at the boss arena, he saw the man ahead of him. He broke into a sprint and was able to grab the man’s collar and pull him back.
“You’re going to get yourself killed,” Oscar said. As he did, the boss swiveled his gaze towards the pair. “Shit. Party up,” he commanded. He quickly navigated through his menus and sent an invitation to the man. “Sit tight and don’t touch anything.”
Oscar surged forward at blinding speed, Divine Rancor at the ready. With a Charge and a Sword Art, he was able to plant himself at the top of the Hate table. With the boss thus controlled, he was able to breathe easier. Though he’d never exactly tangled with the boss solo, he figured he could at least take a hit or two while they tried to formulate a plan to retreat.
But looking at the damage he did with just a basic art, he wondered if that would even be necessary.SpoilerOscar | HP: 960/960 | EN: 106/128[-14 -8] | DMG: 26 | MIT:212 | ACC:5 | PHASE | EVA:3 | BH:53 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:8
Abellio | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | MIT:26 | THORNS:18
[Charge]AOE-I vs FTK ID: 240140 | BD: 3+5-1, hit - Deal 365 DMG
Charge CD - 0/3
Well-Rested 1/3
[Os1,Ab0]Forgotten Time King | HP: 2635/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 -
There was another in the city as well. He was sat outside of a small tavern near the central plaza. He was intently focused on something in his menus. Oscar seemed to be agonizing over a message of some sort. He would type a few words and then scrunch his face up in annoyance and delete everything he’d written. This repeated on and on until something broke his focus. The town was empty and quiet. Outside of the NPCs - who had learned to tune out - the other Players were above or below them. Floor 21 only attracted a specific type of Player: those wanting to slay the Forgotten Time King for some quick Experience and one of the best skills in the game.His focus was drawn to the wide-eyed young man currently heading for the gate. He was talking loudly, declaring his intentions to all around. Oscar looked up from his work and cocked an eyebrow. Clearly this guy was new. Was he seriously trying to take on the boss solo. Oscar let out a heavy sigh and rose to his feet. There was no way that he was going to let some newbie punk get himself killed today, regardless of what his own plans were.
SpoilerName: Oscar True Tier: 10
Level: 34
Paragon Level: 57
HP: 960/960
EN: 128/128Stats:
Damage: 26
Mitigation: 212
Accuracy: 5
Evasion: 3
Battle Healing:
Loot Die: 8
Stealth Rating: -5
PHASEREC: 4
HLY: 16 BLI: 32/-20
Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket:
- <<DIVINE RANCOR>> T4 KATANA - HOLY/HOLY/PHASE/BLIGHT
Armor/Trinket:
- <<TACTICAL UNDER ARMOR>> T4 HEAVY ARMOR//MIT/MIT/MIT/REC
Shield/Armor/Trinket:
- <<IVORY GOLD LEAF RING>> T1 TRINKET//ACC/ACC/EVA/EVACombat Mastery:
- Combat Mastery: Damage R3Combat Shift:
- AOE ShiftFamiliar Skill:
-Custom Skill:
-Skills:
- Battle Healing R5
- Energist
- Extended Weight Limit
- Heavy Armor R5
- Katana R5
- Lock Picking R3
- Quick Change
- Searching R5
- ChargeExtra Skills:
- Concentration
- Forgotten King's Authority
- Meditation
- Parry
- SurvivalInactive Extra Skills:
Addons:
- Ferocity
- Iron Skin
- Precision
- Reveal
- StaminaMods:
- Impetus
- Night VisionInactive Mods:
Battle Ready Inventory:
- <<CRYSTAL OF DIVINE LIGHT>> ID: 236066 x
- <<GLOVES OF CAERUS>> T1 LIGHT ARMOR//3 LD x
- <<Kyūketsuki>> T4 KATANA//ABS.ACC/PHASE/VAMP2 x
- <<RHINO'S HORN>> ID: 236068 x
- <<SANCTITY'S RUIN>> T4 KATANA - FROSTBITE/BLEED/BLIGHT/BURN x
- <<TELEPORTATION CRYSTAL>> x
- <<TROLL'S BLOOD>> ID: 236067 xHousing Buffs:
- Basic Kitchen: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.
- Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
- Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
- Attic (Bedroom): +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cannot boost a skill without ranks, or increase a skill past its maximum rank. Cannot boost a skill the user has not learned yet. Ranks obtained using this buff will make the mods of that rank available for purchase. Mods obtained this way are unusable if this buff is removed until the skill is returned to the appropriate rank by way of SP purchase.
- Basement: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
- Guest Room: Players can have one «Amenity» in a «Guest Room» and the «Amenity» cannot be recovered. Players are allowed to change which «Amenity» is in the «Guest Room». Multiple instances of the same «Amenity» do not stack. This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.
- Master Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
- Master Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
- Extended Workshop: +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
- Ornate Fishing Pond: +2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.
- Dining Hall: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed. Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
- Mega Slime Farm: +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.Guild Hall Buffs:
Scents of the Wild Totem:
- Tanos
Wedding Ring:Crafting Profession:
- Cooking[5280exp] R10
Gathering Profession:
- Fishing[100exp] R2Focused Dog Consumed +2 ACC
Evasion Dog Consumed +2 EVA
Liquor of Light Consumed +3 DMG
Gungnir's Shard - T4 Mit Feast Used, Consumed
Troll's Blood Used -
They were quite a motley crew, if Oscar said so himself. Seeing the way everyone greeted one another and the ease with which they fell into socializing made Oscar feel just a pang of regret. He had been so focused, so driven, in his quest to become one of the vaunted Frontliners that he had never stopped to smell the roses. He’d never really tried to ingratiate himself with anyone outside of a small number of confidants. Perhaps things would have been different if he had. Maybe it wouldn’t have all gone to shit.
But he’d played his hand the best he could. There was no room for sour grapes now. Just a fresh deck, a new hand, and a myriad ways to play his cards.
He accepted Oz’s gift with a smile. Despite the fact that the cocktail wouldn’t get him even slightly buzzed, he wasn’t one to turn down a free drink. Especially one that seemed to have been crafted with such care. He raised the glass to his lips, tilting his hand ever so slightly in thanks, and took a sip. Sweet and sour notes bloomed over his tongue, all of it woven together from the sharp taste of the gin. It would not get him drunk, but it was certainly a master class.
Just how had this man blended together so many flavors into this glass? Oscar had to restrain himself from downing the whole thing. It was exquisite. The drink stoked his gluttony - something he didn’t even realize he had. Oscar would have liked several more of these, non-alcoholic or no. Through a great upheaval of effort, he managed to part his lips from the glass. He held it up to the sunlight, allowing the radiance to filter through the blue mixture. His eyes widened in disbelief as he examined the concoction as if its very existence strained his credulity.
“Damn,” he said simply. “I haven’t had a drink like that in years. Thank you.”
It was something to be savored, certainly. He wondered whether it would last through this quest. Could he fight one-handed? Of course he could. It was a newbie quest. And with the four of them, he doubted that he would need to fight at all. He took another, measured sip of the cocktail and let out a contented sigh. “Unreal,” he added.
At Siren’s behest and with the formalities of actually accepting the quest done, Oscar was up to bat. His eyes took on an ethereal golden glow as he activated his Tracking skill. Their surroundings were overlain with a light blue filter. He could see the lattice-work of the models that made up the building. Player and NPC avatars faded away, only glowing silhouettes upon his vision. In their wake, they left trails of green. The after effects of non-hostile Players and NPCs. Tracking was a useful skill, allowing him to pierce the veil and find their target expeditiously.
Only one thing gave him pause. Amidst the greens, there were oranges. Criminal players who’d snuck into town for one reason or another. Safe zones were thus only for safe players. Ordinarily, the guards would keep the riff-raff out. That was enough for him. Orange players were not upon Oscar’s radar. His vendetta was not against criminals with minor infractions. His business was not with them. And those that trespassed into the safe zone were few and far between. Oscar had neither the time nor inclination to enforce boundaries upon them.
That was not the same for the Reds. Thin crimson lines wove with the greens and with the oranges. They were stark in their appearance, like thin rivulets of blood upon the ground. He rarely - if ever - found a Red in such a manner. They were anathema to Towns and Safe Areas. And yet, there was a trio of red lines meandering about the town. Oscar had to wonder what kept them at bay. Even three Reds with sufficient skill could cause a crisis in such a low–leveled town as this. Were they simply testing the waters? Experimenting upon what they could get away with? Or was it something more sinister?
But it didn’t really matter. Oscar would hunt later, when he wasn’t involved with a gaggle of newbies. Somehow he figured that tipping his hand to people he had only just met would not be to his benefit. Perhaps a word of warning would be in order. But he doubted that it would amount of anything. All it would do - at best - would cause his new companions to lose their nerve and the entire idea of a quest. That, of course, would not be to their benefit. Though it would certainly save him the trouble of guiding them through the experience.
But they would go without him. And if the unspeakable happened, there would be no one there to even the odds. So, he remained silent. Instead, he gestured to the gate with his free hand and began to walk. “I’m locked in,” Oscar said calmly. “Just follow along and we’ll be there in no time.”
And it was just as he said. Oscar led them in a straight line through the forest. Rather than deal with the winding paths, he elected instead to push through the brush. Every so often, when it became too think for the four of them to pass through comfortable, he would sweep the thorns and brambles aside with a sharp kick. He may not have had any ranks in Martial Arts currently, but one certainly didn’t lose the information. It didn’t require weapon ranks to be able to throw a punch or a kick. Cardinal was certainly not so restrictive.
His boorish path ended at the mouth of a dark cave. Oscar blinked twice, deactivating his Tracking skill. His vision slowly returned to normal. With a smile, he took a celebratory sip of his drink and turned back to the ground. Hopefully the hike off the beaten path hadn’t winded them too much. “And here we are. Careful though, there’s massive bats inside. If memory serves, he need to kill two of them to proceed.”
-
It had been a hard-won fight. Perhaps it was the fact that Oscar and Comcast had their disagreements during boss raids specifically, but he couldn't remember the last time that he needed to *try* that hard. But he felt a measure of pride. As if he had left everything he could on the field and then some. He selected his rewards from the menu pop-up and shoved his hands into his pockets. Floor 29 awaited them. Whatever mysteries lay beyond, he had never been more confident in the Frontliners' ability to handle it.
Except Wulfrin. He had plans for that dummy. "RIP Persi. You was a real one."Oscar receives 2x <<Bottled Darkness>>
-
ph
SpoilerAOE-I vs Ulric Drell [-15 EN]
ID: 239487 BD: 3+6-3, hit. Deal 263 DMG
Ryland Roll: ID: 239488 CD: 3, +2 HateOscar - HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 83/124 | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia - HP: 760/760 | EN: 89/110 | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE
Ryland - HP: 770/1000 | DMG: 0 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 2[C:1 O:2 R:2] Ulric Drell: HP: 1407/2000 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3
Ulric attack vs Ryland: ID: 239489, MD: 3+3-2, miss -
Skill(s) Being Dropped: Charge, Grappling Familiar
Mod(s)/Addon(s)/Shift(s) Being Dropped: N/A
SP Incurred Towards Limit: 20
SP Refunded: 20
Cost: 20k Col -
Maybe it was a bit too hopeful to pull a repeat of the last round. As if insulted by Oscar's simple logic, the bear made sure they were all tripping balls at the end. A welcome turn of events. It was hard to conceptualize the risks and dangers the game when a bear was befuddling your perception.
Oscar could see it all. The fire of creation. Everything was a cycle, like a hot dog on a gas station roller. Trundling on and on, molded and changed by its environment. The searing, blistering heat. Life was like a hot dog, he realized, as he watched the cosmos unfold before him. Swirling nebulae and countless stars burst across his vision. Each a component of a greater mass. Toppings and condiments for the great hot dog that was the universe.
And as Oscar dove deep into his vision quest, his body lay face down in the muck. Occasionally, bubbles would pop up on either side of his head as muffled utterings allowed the vile fetid liquid access to his mouth.
"Blub blub blub," came Oscar's words. All who heard his eldritch voice would know he spoke the truth of everything. But they would not remember. The answer to everything was so illogical thar it could not possibly be true.
The answer could not possibly be hot dogs.
SpoilerAddled Memory Check
ID: 239038 LD 1+11 LOL I THOUGHT
[8]Morningstar | HP: 515/955 | EN: 55/118 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 60 | ACC:8 | AA | EVA:6 | BH:51 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | PARA-V | LD:5 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | PROB:36 | JEWEL | Clean | [Madness 1 12/8]
[5] Oscar | HP: 791/1058 | EN: 110/124 | DMG: 27 | MIT:187 | ACC:3 | PHASE | EVA:2 | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11 | Clean | [MADNESS 1 12/4]
Alkor | Removed due to inactivity 3/3 Strikes
[8] Katoka | HP: 338/800 | EN: 57/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:38 | ACC:8 | EVA:3 | BH:40 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | Clean | [Madness 1 12/4]
[5] Astralin | HP: 385/805 | EN: 76/108 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 80 | ACC:4 | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:14 | REC: 4 | STC: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean | [Madness 1 12/4]
[10] Koga | HP: 220/1081 | EN: 73/128 | DMG: 31 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 7[-4] | EVA: 4[-4] | BH: 59 | HB: 24 | VAMP-D: 119 | FLN: 16 | BRN: 56 | HELLSTORM: 80 | JEWEL | Clean | LD [-4] [Madness 2 12/8] | [Blind 2]Callisto the Tainted | DMG: 300[+100] | MIT: 65 | ACC: -1[+2][-2] | EVA:0 | BLIND 2 (8-10) | RAMPAGE [4/6] | Iron Flesh | [TXC-V 64/1] | [ENV-O 32/2] | [ENV-O 32/2]
-
Oh, Freyd was alive. How exactly had that happened? Oscar had been overcome by such a raging hate boner and now the source of the hate had dried up. Happy as he was to see his homie alive and kicking (though he had to make a mental note to pour one out for the realest one, Persi), it was all rather deflating. Oscar had been so ready to go on a tear and now he felt as if he had dove face first into a bucket of ice.
The bear was doing some vague bear shit. It was like Alice In Wonderland with some topsy-turvy pizza scented nonsense. Perhaps it might have sent them down the proverbial rabbit hole if Oscar was not convinced of a single fact. One that kept him tethered to reality. One that, through shared knowledge, would completely unravel the bear's maddening italian illusion.
“Bears don't have thumbs. So how does it smell like pizza?”
The distortion cracked and shattered. Simple logic bringing low the boss's attempts to befuddle them. Their ability to use their items was restored and Oscar crossed his arms before him, proud to deliver such a revelation to his team mates.
SpoilerID: 238781 Addled Memory Check | LD: 20+11 LMAO U THOUGHT
Players:
[7] Morningstar | HP: 955/955 | EN: 72/118 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 60 | ACC:8 | AA | EVA:6 | BH:51 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | PARA-V | LD:5 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | PROB:36 | JEWEL | Clean
[5] Oscar | HP: 1046/1058 | EN: 110/124 | DMG: 27 | MIT:187 | ACC:3 | PHASE | EVA:2 | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11 | Clean
Alkor | Removed due to inactivity 3/3 Strikes
[6] Katoka | HP: 800/800 | EN: 67/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:38 | ACC:8 | EVA:3 | BH:40 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | Clean
[5] Astralin | HP: 805/805 | EN: 87/108 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 80 | ACC:4 | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:14 | REC: 4 | STC: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean
[7] Koga | HP: 302/1081 | EN: 73/128 | DMG: 31 | MIT: 0 | ACC: 7[-4] | EVA: 4[-4] | BH: 59 | HB: 24 | VAMP-D: 119 | FLN: 16 | BRN: 56 | HELLSTORM: 80 | JEWEL | Clean | LD [-4] [Madness I 12/7] | [Blind 2] -
“Get behind me!”
Oscar could scarcely recognize the voice. The desperation in the tone, the urgency in the inflection. It forced him to swivel his head towards the source. He could scarcely believe what he saw. Oscar had never known Freyd to lose his composure like that. There had been only one time in a throwaway quest where he’d seen the man come close. As Oscar watched the man throw himself into the line of fire, something shook him to his very core. A gnawing dread gripped him. Time seemed to slow to a crawl.
Oscar trusted Freyd. Implicitly. But he also knew what was about to happen. The cold calculus of the virtual reality prison would not allow for any other outcome. And he saw how others, through their faith in the man, trusted that he would be able to follow through. That he would be able to produce another miracle.
But Oscar knew in his bones what the grim reality was.
Despite this, he - like everyone else who bore witness - had hope. Brilliant gold clashed against deep, shadowy purple like two tidal waves colliding. And all he could do was watch. As Freyd’s health dropped lower and lower, the strength of that golden wave was similarly sapped away. And as that bar completely emptied, as Freyd - his friend - cracked and shattered, what little spark of gold was engulfed entirely.
Oscar froze. Freyd was the best of them. Better than himself, certainly. His fall cast a grim aura over the entire Raid. One-by-one, the Frontlines lamented his passing. Their voices raised up in an agonized chorus, their tears flowing and threatening to wash away the ground where they once stood. This was a first for Oscar. He’d never seen anyone so strong, so competent, die in the game. His hands were stained red, but those bodies he’d left in his wake had all deserved it.
And for the first time, Oscar had nothing to say.
He had no one-liner that would help soothe the hurt. Humor would not solve this. It would not help his companions mourn the passing of the Whisper. It would not bring him back. And it became readily and blatantly apparent that if Oscar didn’t have that, he had nothing.
Do you really think you can save them?
That question boiled to the surface again.
Do you really think you can save them? Freyd couldn’t even save himself. One of our best couldn’t even save himself. What chance do you have?
Oscar couldn’t even lie and deny it.
Do you really think you can save them? Incompetence surrounds you. Look around. This boss could have died a long time ago if people put any thought into what they were doing. We lost Freyd because everyone is so fucking stupid. You cannot save stupid.
Oscar grit his teeth. His mask had cracked. He couldn’t deny those thoughts. He knew they were intrusive. That they were unfair. But nevertheless, he could not deny them. Oscar looked out over the Raid, eyes flicking to each individual member and then to the boss’s incredibly low health bar. If they’d been a little smarter, played a little better, the thing would have been dead before Freyd was even at risk. Without his mask, Oscar only had his rage. This level of incompetence was offensive. They were all here. They were all the only hope anyone had. And they couldn’t pull it together enough to keep one of their very own safe.
It was pathetic.
He would have called attention to it. But the job wasn’t finished. Oscar would not be like the fools he surrounded himself with. He wouldn’t let emotion and hatred shake him. There would be plenty of time when the job was done.
“Fuck your vow, Wulfrin,” Oscar said to himself as he returned his focus to the target. That’s all it was. A target. A clump of code unable to defy its own nature. It was foolish to blame the bear for doing simply what it was programmed to. It was there to kill them. The onus was on the Players to protect themselves. To play the game to the best of their ability to keep each other safe.
He strode forward, brandishing his weapon. As he did, he cast one last look to where the Whisper had once stood. In that fraction of a second, Oscar allowed himself one moment of mourning. It was all he could afford. A fraction of a second to bleed it out.
I’m not going to be able to follow where you’re going, Oscar thought. But save me a seat anyway. I’d like to hope.
SpoilerTech-A vs Callisto
ID: 238650 | BD: 8+3 = 324 - 45 = 279 DMG, Stun Applied
[7] Morningstar | HP: 955/955 | EN: 72/118 (73-12-13) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 60 | ACC:8 | AA | EVA:6 | BH:51 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | PARA-V | LD:5 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | PROB:36 | JEWEL | Clean
[5] Oscar | HP: 1046/1058 | EN: 102/124 | DMG: 27 | MIT:187 | ACC:3 | PHASE | EVA:2 | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11 | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/1]
Alkor | Removed due to inactivity 3/3 Strikes
[6] Katoka | HP: 800/800 | EN: 67/114 (75+4-12) | DMG: 28 | MIT:38 | ACC:8 | EVA:3 | BH:40 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | Clean
[5] Astralin | HP: 805/805 | EN: 87/108 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 80 | ACC:4 | EVA:5 | BH:14 | REC: 4 | BRN: 42 | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean
[8] Koga | HP: 814/1081 (731+83) | EN: 73/128 (71+4-2) | DMG: 31 | MIT: 0 | ACC:7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 59 | HB: 24 | VAMP-D: 119 | FLN: 16 | BRN: 56 | HELLSTORM: 80 | JEWEL | Clean | [Madness I 12/8]Callisto the Tainted | DMG: 300[+50] | MIT: 65[-20] | ACC: -1[+1][-2] | EVA:0[-1] | BLIND 2 (8-10) | RAMPAGE [1/6] | Iron Flesh | Shatter 1: [1/2] | [REND 56/1] | [BLD 96/1] | [BLI 64/1] | [BRN 112/1] | [FRB 80/1] | [STC 80/1] | [TXC-V 64/2] | [ENV-O 32/3] | [ENV-O 32/3]
-
Ph
SpoilerUnstuck the Alkor | ID: 237768 | LD: 18+6 | The Alkor is Unstuck
Players:
[4] Morningstar | HP: 955/955 | EN: 82/118 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 60 | ACC:8 | AA | EVA:6 | BH:51 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | PARA-V | LD:5 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | PROB:36 | JEWEL | Clean
[4] Oscar | HP: 1046/1058 | EN: 110/124 | DMG: 27 | MIT:187 | ACC:3 | PHASE | EVA:2 | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11 | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/1]
[10] Alkor | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 117/120 | DMG: 12 | MIT:222 | ACC:4 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:0 | BH:56 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20 | PARA | LD:0 | Rested [2/3] | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/1] | ENSNARED
[4] Katoka | HP: 800/800 | EN: 87/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:38 | ACC:8 | EVA:3 | BH:40 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | Clean
[4] Astralin | HP: 804/805 | EN: 97/108 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 80 | ACC:4 | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:14 | REC: 4 | STC: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | Clean
[9] Koga | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 85/128 | DMG: 31 | MIT: 0 | ACC:7 | EVA: 4 | BH: 59 | HB: 24 | VAMP-D: 119 | FLN: 16 | BRN: 56 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | JEWEL | Clean
Callisto the Tainted | DMG: 300[+250] | MIT: 65[-20] | ACC: -1[+4][-2] | EVA:0[-1] | BLIND 2 (8-10) | RAMPAGE [5/6] | Iron Flesh | Shatter 1: [1/2] | [REND 56/1] | [BLD 96/1] | [BLI 64/1] | [BRN 112/1] | [FRB 80/1] | [STC 80/1] | [TXC-V 64/2] | [ENV-O 32/3] | [ENV-O 32/3]
-
At last, the blindness effect had lifted. Oscar paused for a moment, rising back to his feet and taking stock of the status of everyone. It seemed that despite their rocky start, the team had fallen into some semblance of equilibiirum. It was a struggle, but they had adapted to the boss mechanics. This was good. Now, perhaps Oscar could have some impact beyond wrenching Alkor loose from a bear.
His hands were slick from the mire. That was fine, he decided. The first time had caught him by surprise. If the team could adapt, so could he. He swapped hands, freeing up his sword hand so that he could wipe it on a nearby tree. Perhaps it didn’t matter here, but he would swear off raids in their entirety if his weapon were to slip from his grasp mid-swing.
Another swap back from right to left and Oscar took a deep breath to steady himself. In the next instant, his blade found purchase in the bear’s head. He’d forced himself to relax, driven the concerns from his mind. His arm moved like a whip, focusing considerable strengh into a jarring blow. His weapon sunk deep, encountering resistance from the hulk behemoth’s thick muscle and eventually coming to a stop entirely when it reached the bear’s skull.
The blow overwhelmed the bear’s strength, if only for a moment and if only thanks to shock. Its head dipped low allowing Oscar to wrench his blade free and retreat. He’d not done much damage, but the Stun would still have an impact. Ordinarily, he would have celebrated his turn in luck. But he found himself taking this more seriously than he normally would. So he remained silent, focused, and ready to move into the next round.
SpoilerBlindness Fades - ACC, EVA, LD Restored
Tech-A vs Callisto - ID: 237691 | BD 6+2+1, 279 DMG - Stun Applied
Players:
[3] Morningstar | HP: 955/955 | EN: 91/118 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 60 | ACC:8 | AA | EVA:6 | BH:51 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | PARA-V | LD:5 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | PROB:36 | JEWEL | Clean
[4] Oscar | HP: 1046/1058 | EN: 110/124 | DMG: 27 | MIT:187 | ACC:3 | PHASE | EVA:2 | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11 | Rested [2/3] | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/2] | Blindness 2 [2/2]
[4] Alkor | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 120/120 | DMG: 12 | MIT:222 | ACC:4[-4] | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:0[-4] | BH:56 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20 | PARA | LD:0[-4] | Rested [2/3] | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/2] | Blindness 2 [2/2]
[3] Katoka | HP: 800/800 | EN: 79/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:38 | ACC:8 | EVA:3 | BH:40 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | Clean
[4] Astralin | HP: 804/805 | EN: 102/108 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 80 | ACC:4 | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:14 | REC: 4 | STC: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | Rested [1/2] | Clean
[9] Koga | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 93/128 | DMG: 31 | MIT:0 | ACC:7 | EVA:4 | BH:59 | HB: 24 | VAMP-D: 119 | FLN: 16 | BRN: 56 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | JEWEL | CleanBoss:
Callisto the Tainted | DMG: 300[+150] | MIT: 65[-20] | ACC: -1[+3][-2] | BLIND 2 (8-10) | RAMPAGE [3/6] | Iron Flesh | [REND 56/1] | [BLD 96/1] | [BLI 64/1] | [BRN 112/1] | [FRB 80/1] | [STC 80/1] | [TXC-V 64/2] | [ENV-O 32/3] | [ENV-O 32/3] -
After the chaos of the last round, Oscar was able to breathe a small sigh of relief that things were now relatively calm. That being said, this confounding blindness was certainly making things difficult. His vision was still mostly dark, rendering effective combat all but impossible. Still, he felt that, perhaps, he could lean on the System just a bit and try his luck. 20 percent was 20 percent after all. It would matter how blind he was if his swing resulted in a crit.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to pull it off. A swing and a miss. Still, the din of combat and the sound of bladed collisions told him that his party members, at least, we able to land decisive blows against their ursine adversary.
But, one of the consequences of near total blindness was, obviously, not being able to see. Oscar couldn’t make out his position relative to everyone else. He couldn’t shake the notion that he was standing in the midst of things, in the way and impotent. Not wanting to be a burden on his party, Oscar tried to shuffle in the opposite direction of the sounds of combat.
His foot hooked on a root as he moved, his legs kicked out from under him and he found himself falling into a pool of rotten sludge with a sickening splash. He felt the rot bleed soak into his back as he sank into the shallow pool of acrid mire. Like a bathtub slowly filling before a nice soak, the liquid slowly crawled its way up his body. It clung to him, penetrating the fibers of his clothes.
He hated the feeling. It weighed him down. A fresh rush of fetid air invaded his nostrils. He pushed off from his elbows, sitting up to sit in the pool of rot. He blinked slowly, his hand reaching to the nape of his neck to pull a wet something from his hair. Was it a leaf? Or a bit of discarded meat? He couldn’t tell. All he knew was that it was gross.
Thankfully, he was able to keep his lunch down this time. Had this happened a few rounds prior, he might have lost it again. But Oscar was starting to get frustrated. Irritating as things were, anger was a good way to keep himself from vomiting again. It helped that, at this angle, he would have wound up making a worse mess of himself.
“I’m going to need to find a way to invent a washing machine after this,” Oscar said with a sigh. “Realism has gone too far.”
SpoilerPost Action: Tech-A vs Callisto [-11 EN] ID: 237266 | BD: 3, Miss
Players:
[3] Morningstar | HP: 955/955 | EN: 91/118 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 60 | ACC:8 | AA | EVA:6 | BH:51 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | PARA-V | LD:5 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | PROB:36 | JEWEL | Clean
[3] Oscar | HP: 1058/1058 | EN: 122/124 | DMG: 31 | MIT:187 | ACC:3[-4] | PHASE | EVA:2[-4] | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11[-4] | Rested [2/3] | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/4] | Blindness 2 [1/2]
[4] Alkor | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 120/120 | DMG: 12 | MIT:222 | ACC:4[-4] | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:0[-4] | BH:56 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20 | PARA | LD:0[-4] | Rested [2/3] | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/4] | Blindness 2 [1/2]
[3] Katoka | HP: 768/800 | EN: 95/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT:38 | ACC:8 | EVA:3 | BH:40 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | Clean
[4] Astralin | HP: 790/805 | EN: 94/108 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 80 | ACC:4 | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:14 | REC: 4 | STC: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | Rested [1/2] | Clean
[4] Koga | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 93/128 | DMG: 31 | MIT:0 | ACC:7 | EVA:4 | BH:59 | HB: 24 | VAMP-D: 119 | FLN: 16 | BRN: 56 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | JEWEL | Clean -
That hurt. That shit really hurt. What made matters worse, Oscar's vision quickly became obfuscated by an effect not unlike a blot of ink on a screen. Peering through the holes in the umbra, he made his way toward the feasts from before the fight. Nothing was going to plan. He'd yet to deal any damage and the Boss' AOE had cut through the party like a 4000 degree knife through butter.
The team was quick to respond, however. The damage was quickly healed up while Oscar fumbled towards his diamonds. If he couldn't do damage, he could at least try to take a hit. Before he scarfed down his pressurized carbon, he decided to drop a line to a friend.
“Hey Lessa! Do you have a Mass Crystal? I can't see too good so just throw it at my face or something!”
Perhaps he might save himself some effort by letting it shatter upon his visage. But, the absolute peach that she was, Lessa hand-delivered. Even left with a quip. That was supposed to be Oscar's job. Still, he couldn't be mad at his deliverer of the healing juice.
“That one was pretty good, Lessa,” Oscar called back as he crushed the crystal in his hand. “Really caught me lacking too.”
SpoilerFree Action - Accepting Mass Heal from @Lessa
Post Action - Consuming <<A Literal Pile of Diamonds>> +60 MIT, overwriting Protein buff -4 DMG, +60 MIT
Free Action - Using Mass Heal, +10% HP to Party, +4 Hate
[3] Morningstar | HP: 955/955 | EN: 91/118 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 60 | ACC:8 | AA | EVA:6 | BH:51 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | PARA-V | LD:5 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | PROB:36 | JEWEL | Rested [1/3] | Clean
[4] Oscar | HP: 1049/1058 | EN: 124/124 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 187 | ACC:3[-4] | PHASE | EVA:2[-4] | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11[-4] | Rested [2/3] | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/4] | Blindness 2 [0/2]
[5] Alkor | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 120/120 | DMG: 12 | MIT:222 | ACC:4[-4] | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:0[-4] | BH:56 | BLD: 48 | BLI: 32/-20 | PARA | LD:0[-4] | Rested [2/3] | Clean | [Madness 1: 12/4] | Blindness 2 [0/2]
[3] Katoka | HP: 768/800 (+80) | EN: 96/114 (98+12-14) | DMG: 28 | MIT:38 | ACC:8 | EVA:3 | BH:40 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | Clean
[4] Astralin | HP: 776/805 (+80) | EN: 93/108 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 80 | ACC:4 | PHASE | EVA:5 | BH:14 | REC: 4 | STC: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:1 | DOTE: 1/3 | Rested [2/2] | Clean
[4 | LAST HIT ] Koga | HP: 1081/1081 | EN: 90/128 (99-9) | DMG: 31 | MIT:0 | ACC:7 | EVA:4 | BH:59 | HB: 24 | VAMP-D: 119 | FLN: 16 | BRN: 56 | DOTE: 1/3 | HELLSTORM: 80 | JEWEL | Rested [1/3] | Clean
Callisto the Tainted | DMG: 300[+0] | MIT: 65[-20] | ACC: -1[+0][-1] | BLIND 2 (8-10) | RAMPAGE [0/6] | Iron Flesh | [REND 56/1] | [BLD 96/1] | [BLI 64/1] | [BRN 112/1] | [FRB 80/1] | [STC 80/1] | [TXC-V 64/2] | [ENV-O 32/3] | [ENV-O 32/3]
-
Things were starting to unravel a bit too quickly for Oscar's liking. Looking around at the other groups, he felt fortunate that his team only had to contend with Alkor being grappled by the bear. Oscar needed to make a change. Plans had dictated he would endeavor to deal damage, but given Alkor’s struggle, the plan had changed. What they needed was a little luck.
Oscar slipped his ring from his finger and produced a pair of gloves from his inventory. Perhaps one of the oldest items in his ownership. Across the way, his eyes affixed on Bahr. A smile crept onto his face as he remembered the man's consistent aid and friendship. This item - the Gloves of Caerus - was a constant reminder of that. Whether the Crimson Marauder saw it or not, Oscar gave the man a confident thumbs up with the gloves on proud display. Then, he sheathed his sword.
Once more, Oscar took off like a lightning bolt. He slipped in between the scant space between Alkor and Callisto. Bringing his knees to his chest, he thrust his feet into the bear and wedged his back against Alkor. He extended his legs, the leverage allowing him to strain the limits of the bear’s grip. Finally, physics and the power of anime allowed Oscar's efforts to win out. He and Alkor were blown backwards. They skidded across the fetid mire, both safe from the beast’s fangs and claws.
They stopped suddenly, Alkor colliding with another hulking presence. Heavy footfalls padded through the muck, a duet of growls filling the air. It had been some time since Oscar had brought Leeroy and Jenkins into battle. The twin heads of his familiar were low, ears flat as they slowly stalked past the pair. Fangs glinted in the light and two pairs of ringed irises glowed like faintly smoldering coals.
“Go,” Oscar commanded.
His hound didn't hesitate. Emulating his master, the twin-headed cerberus took off like a rocket. A red-brown blur shot off and collided with the hulking bear. Fangs sank into the boss's face, crushing and tearing at the rotted hide. It's already damaged visage suffered further harm as his familiar did his work. It clung to the thrashing beast for a moment, finally bounding from the monster and landing back in the muck once the damage was done.
“You're good,” Oscar said. “Consider that payback for the breather.”
SpoilerQuick Change | Ivory Gold Leaf Ring -> Gloves of Caerus
-2 ACC, -1 EVA, +3 LD
New Statline: Oscar | HP: 1058/1058 | EN: 124/124 | DMG: 31 | MIT:67 | ACC:3 | PHASE | EVA:2 | BH:58 | REC: 4 | HLY: 16 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:11 | Rested [2/3] | Clean | QC: 0/3Unhugging the Bear | ID: 237028 | LD: 20+6, success
Grappling Familiar Activated, Stun Applied to Callisto
[Clash of Blade Season 1] Week 1: Oscar v. Lessa
in Player Vs Player
Posted · Edited by Oscar
This was a major departure from the mundanity Oscar had become used to. A PvP tournament? An assortment of fights where no one needed to worry about death? Oscar was almost compelled to sign up. Oscar stepped into the ring as he was summoned by the caster, pleasantly surprised with the crowd that had formed to see a bunch of goons beat the shit out of one another.
Of course, things were a little deeper for him. His first opponent, in some strange twist of irony, was Lessa. They couldn't have found a better first match for him. Unless someone - somehow - found Bahr. The two had a small amount of unresolved tension. They'd put it aside for the sake of the Floor Raids, but this struck Oscar as more of a grudge match than a friendly bout.
After all, Lessa had blood on her hands specifically because of him.
But even given the serious nature, Oscar couldn't resist the urge to play up the crowd. All of his experience put his life on the line. He never enjoyed it, despite the fact he was good at it. This, however. This he would enjoy.
"Alright guys, it's showtime. I'm feeling really nervous, but I'm gonna go ahead and shoot my shot. If either of you are free after this, would you maybe like to, I dunno get something-"
Oscar grinned as the woman dropped her line. He realized that it was definitely a compliment and totally a joke for the sake of the crowd.
But Oscar wouldn't be outdone.
He reached into his coat and then flung his arm out towards Minako. A hot dog with all the fixin's shot through the air like a dart, aiming to stick itself right smack dab into the caster's mouth. He spun on his heels, walking backwards towards Lessa for a brief moment. "Practice for later! Call me!" He gave the woman a wink as he pantomimed a phone by raising a thumb and forefinger to his ear. Then he spun back around, stepping up to his opponent and shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Been a while, Lessa. You ready for this?"
Oscar | HP: 200/200 | EN: 40/40 | DMG: 10 | MIT:42 | ACC:2 | PHASE | EVA:1 | BH:6 | REC: 1 | HLY: 4 | BLI: 8/-5 | LD: 8
Initiative: ID: 240665 | LD: 18
AOE ShiftFerocityIron SkinPrecisionStamina<<CRYSTAL OF DIVINE LIGHT>> ID: 236066 x<<RHINO'S HORN>> ID: 236068 x<<TELEPORTATION CRYSTAL>> x<<TROLL'S BLOOD>> ID: 236067 x